Largre hollow wooden building blocks

ABSTRACT

A set of large, hollow, lightweight, seamless, rigid wooden blocks provides a variety of shapes such as cubes, flat or elongated right-parallelepiped pieces, as well as pyramids, and round cylindrical blocks. The pieces are large compared to the size of a child, but being hollow they are not overly heavy. There are no openings in the pieces, so gripping the smooth surfaces to throw them is not a simple task for a small child; thus they are safer since they are more amenable to use on a plane surface and being gripped with both hands. Also, the construction of plywood provides an optimum degree of heft as opposed to large plastic or foam pieces. The size makes the blocks useful either for either single use or group play. The blocks are durable and sanitary.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to large hollow wooden building blocktoys.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Building block sets for small children or toddlers should be appropriatefor use in a variety of child care settings whether home based orinstitutional. They must be durable and safe, while also promoting thenatural experimentation and curiosity of children. Finally, they shouldbe affordable.

The prior art reveals familiar small cubic solid wood building blocksthat are traditional, as well as larger building blocks and toy systems.Niebel in U.S. Pat. No. 1,379,648 describes a toy furniture set withsolid elements (some with recesses) that nest into each other to form alarge rectangular block. A construction set of Roh et al. (U.S. Pat. No.5,330,379) reveals a toy that can be stored as a sofa, but which istransformable into a playhouse with walls and gables. Odier of U.S. Pat.No. 3,608,906 describes multisided puzzle pieces in the form of framesupports of cubic or tetrahedral shapes which accept changeable planarside panels forming hollow blocks which are the basis of puzzles.Felgenhauer et al. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,105 describes a unit toysystem with interlocking landscape shaped molded hollow blocks which canbe used to construct a variety of artificial three dimensionallandscapes. Bluthhardt in U.S. Pat. No. 2,147,237 describes a toybuilding block set including block shapes with u-shaped cutouts tofacilitate building interlocking structures. Secter in U.S. Pat. No.3,773,329 describes a set of six similar solid right-parallelepipedblocks with hidden connections permitting relative pivoting; they formsolid-geometrical puzzles and furniture arrangements. Chang in U.S. Pat.No. 6,568,981 describes a large soft brick construction set with variousshapes; the lightweight foam blocks are covered with display materialwhich attaches to double-sided hook material strips to permit temporaryattachment of the pieces to each other. Chambers in U.S. Pat. No.1,471,943 describes conventionally sized hollow or solid pyramidalshaped blocks.

Additionally, a set of open sleeved rectangular blocks made from fourattached wooden planks are sold by guidecraft.com.

Although the prior art does reveal large sized blocks, some lightweight, some of wood, and some hollow, prior art does not reveal abuilding block set of large hollow wooden building blocks of variousshapes, where each of the blocks are sturdy, smooth and large enough toonly be carried by two hands of a child.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide safe, sanitary,durable, large building block toys which are lightweight and easy tohandle.

Other objects which become apparent from the following description ofthe present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Safety is paramount in toys for small children. Obviously, no chokehazards should be provided. Plastic toys can be toxic. Mold releasecompounds used in their manufacture have been implicated in hormonalchanges as well as liver problems. A good alternative to plastic is woodfinished in a smooth surface of even consistency and coated withnon-toxic wax or varnish. Wood is also very durable and depictscraftsmanship which has superior perceived as well as real value.

A set of large, light weight closed hollow wooden blocks is provided.Each block is a hollow block made of smooth, non-porous wood panels.Each rigid, non-depressible block is closed on all sides, and has asingle hollow void inside. Each of the blocks is constructed ofsufficient size that two hands of a child, for whom the block is made,are required to hold or carry the block.

Each block is configured to have a geometric shape which is dimensionedof a pre-determined minimum size in height, width and depth, so that theblock is carried by two hands of a child. For example, a block having atleast one edge of a minimum size of 12 cm has a surface area whichexceeds the palm of a hand of a child. This requires the child to carrythe block so dimensioned with a minimum surface edge with both hands.This reduces the ability of the block to being thrown as a projectile bya single hand of a child, thereby rendering the set of blocks safe andaesthetically interesting at the same time.

The walls of each block are sufficiently thin to make the block lightenough for the child to easily lift and carry the block.

Unlike lightweight, foam blocks, such as described in Chang '981, thesmooth surfaces of the blocks of even consistency are rigid and notindented with any recesses or surface irregularities to grab into, otherthan the typical arch of an arched block, which arch has a depthdeterring manual grasping by one hand.

Unlike the three dimensional tetrahedral puzzles assembled by magneticpanels, or ferromagnetically painted wood or plastic panels, of Odier'906, the smooth wooden hollow blocks of the present invention arestrictly smooth wooden panels to the touch by children's hands.

Unlike the set of open sleeved rectangular blocks made from fourattached wooden planks, which are sold by guidecraft.com, the smooth,closed hollow wooden blocks of the present invention are not indentedwith any recesses or surface indentations to grab into, other than thetypical arch of an arched block, which arch has a depth deterring manualgrasping by one hand.

The block set of this invention provides a variety of shapes such ascubes, flat or elongated right-parallelepiped pieces, as well aspyramids, hemispheres and round cylindrical blocks. The pieces are largecompared to the size of a child, but being hollow they are not overlyheavy. There are no openings in the pieces, other than a wide deep archin an arched block, so gripping the smooth surfaces to throw them is nota simple task for a small child; thus they are safer since they are moreamenable to use on a plane surface and being gripped with both hands.Also, the construction of plywood provides an optimum degree of heft asopposed to large plastic or foam pieces. The size makes them idealeither for either single use or group play. The durability and ease ofcleaning is a great asset for use in day care centers.

The pieces using flat surfaces have seams bonded using non-toxic woodglue which are assembled with the use of wire brads. The pieces withcurved surfaces incorporate plywood ends or sections and wood veneerover the curved portions which matches the finish of the plywood.

Mats with block base outlines are also provided. They may be used on ahorizontal surface as a guide to build layouts such as a “smallvillage”. Other mats can be used vertically to illustrate placement ofblocks to form “brick walls” or other projects

The present invention also includes a method of stimulating a child'simagination and creativity includes the steps of

a) providing a set of large-sized, smooth, hollow child play blocks,each of the blocks having an outer surface, wherein each outer surfaceis substantially seamless and substantially rigid, wherein the set ofblocks include individual respective blocks of varying shapes.

b) allowing one or more child users to create varying structures usingthe set of blocks;

c) allowing one or more of the child users to use each structure forimaginative play; and,

d) allowing one or more of the child users to modify said varyingstructures at will.

The aforementioned method can also be used to teach children fundamentalstructural soundness and strength of materials by each childrespectively manipulating the set of large, hollow, smooth blocks.

The aforementioned method can also be used to teach fundamentalappropriate social interaction among children, by allowing said at leasttwo child users to use said structure for imaginative play whileinteracting socially with each other; and allowing the child users tomodify the varying structures at will.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can best be understood in connection with theaccompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited tothe precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the block set of this invention withchild present to indicate scale.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a rectangular block of this set.

FIG. 3 is a perspective detail of a corner of the block of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of a hollow cubic block of thisset illustrating its assembly of plywood sides using wire brads.

FIG. 5 is a perspective detail of the construction of a corner of thecubic block of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5A is a close-up detail view in crossection, as taken and viewedalong line “5A-5A” of FIG. 5, showing a detail of a corner of the cubicblock of FIG. 4, depicting a thin veneer layer covering a fastener.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a ramp block from the block set.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view a different ramp block.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a long block with square crossection.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a flat rectangular block.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a narrow block with triangular sides.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a block as in FIG. 10 with the apextruncated.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a child holding and lifting a largeblock with both hands.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of two children interacting with the blockset of this invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an optional mat on a horizontalsurface showing base outlines for a variety of blocks.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an optional vertical mat withblock wall outlines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows block set 1 of this invention besides a child 2 of age forwhich the set is designed. Note that there are a variety of shapesincluding rectangular, pyramid, long blocks, flat blocks, arched block,and round cylindrical blocks. As a size comparison, note that dimension“L” of the longest block is nominally 48 cm.

FIG. 2 shows a close up of a rectangular block 10 of hollow plywoodconstruction as is typical of all blocks of this set. The detail of FIG.3 shows a corner of three mutually orthogonal sides, 11, 12 and 13, ofblock 10. A cubic block 15 is shown in an exploded view in FIG. 4. Itsedge dimension is nominally 12 cm. Each panel 16 is nominally 6 mm (¼″)thick and it is assembled using wire brads 17 after each seam is spreadwith non-toxic wood glue for very strong bonding. Corner constructiondetail is shown in FIG. 5.

Flat and curved surfaces 3 in FIG. 1 on the triangular, rectangular,cubic and round cylindrical blocks and on the arch surface of the archblock are covered in real wood veneer layer 18, such as, for example, avery thin layer approximately ½ millimeter in thickness, of a wood, suchas birch wood, which is bonded to plywood end caps or arch support andfinished to match the plywood surfaces. For example, the cylinders shownin FIG. 1 can be made by attaching flexible panels around an array ofupright supports extending between flat round top and bottom discs.Arches may be formed by adding veneer arches over arched panels.Hollowed out, sanded and finished hemispherical half domed blocks 38shown in FIG. 14 may also be provided.

Alternatively, the set of hollow blocks may be provided with a small,auxiliary, solid half domed shaped block.

Note that the construction selected results in blocks that are muchlighter than solid wooden blocks of the same dimensions, however theyare substantially heavier than similarly sized hollow plastic blocks.This results in the desired play ergonomics whereby blocks are easy tolift with both hands, are sufficiently resistant to knock-down, and arenot prone to become airborne. FIGS. 6-11 show perspective views of aselection of different block shapes from the set of this invention.

FIG. 12 shows a child 2 carrying a large flat block 23 with both hands.A solid wooden or plastic block would have been too heavy, while a foamor hollow plastic block would have typically been grasped with only onehand. Block 23 requires development of eye and two-handed coordinationto carry it successfully. FIG. 13 shows two children 2 interacting witha common building project using the set 1 of this invention.

An optional patterned template floor mat 30 with base outlinescorresponding to the various blocks is shown in FIG. 14. Outline 31corresponds to block 23 while outlines 33 and 35 correspond to blocks 32and 34 respectively. It can be used to offer direction in building avariety of multi-block projects. An optional patterned template verticalwall mat 39 with block outlines 40 is shown in FIG. 15 illustrating theformation of a wall out of blocks 23. Mats with a variety of outlinesfor a wide variety of play may be optionally provided.

The blocks are designed to be large enough so that a child must use bothhands to hold the block, which reduces the possibility of the blockbeing a thrown projectile. It also gives the child a more tangible sizeto make more life-like sized constructions, such as the arched tower ofFIG. 13, including an arch through which a ball can be rolled, and anopen window formed by four blocks, so that the children can see eachother through the assembly of blocks. Additionally, the large blocks canbe assembled in structures such as shown in FIG. 1, to providestructural environments, such as walled areas or bridges upon which tomanipulate other toys, such as toy vehicles.

Therefore, the blocks have a minimum range of sizes to achieve theseobjectives. For example, the block set may have respective large, hollowwooden blocks of varying shapes which include at least onerectangular-shaped block, at least one wedge-shaped block having atriangular crossection, at least one pyramidal-shaped block, at leastone block having a flat half-round arch shape, at least one block havinga trapezoidal shape, at least one block having a cubic shape and atleast one cylindrically-shaped block.

For example, FIG. 6 shows a wedge shaped block of triangular crossectionhaving preferable minimal dimensions of 48 cm in length, 12 cm in heightand 12 cm in depth. FIG. 7 shows another wedge shaped block oftriangular crossection having preferable minimal dimensions of 12 cm inlength, 12 cm in height and 12 cm in depth. FIG. 9 shows a rectangularblock with a minimum length of 48 cm. However, these examples shown inFIGS. 6, 7 and 9 are merely exemplary, and the dimensions may beprovided a range of dimensions, so long as the dimensions provide ablock with at least one surface area having an edge dimension exceedingthe size of a palm of a child's hand.

EXAMPLE OF MINIMUM RANGES OF SIZES OF SET OF BLOCKS

The following ranges of sizes are applicable to provide a set of blocks,wherein each block has at least one surface area having an edgedimension exceeding the size of a palm of a child's hand:

The block set may optionally have one or more wedge-shaped blocks havinga triangular crossection, including a set of at least three wedges ofdiffering respective angularity, wherein a first one of the at leastthree wedge shaped blocks comprises a cross sectional length of aboutfrom about 36 cm to about 60 cm, a crossectional height of from about 9cm to about 18 cm, and a width of from about 9 cm to about 18 cm; andwherein further a second one of the at least three wedge shaped blockscomprises a cross sectional length of from about 9 cm to about 18 cm, acrossectional height of from about 9 cm to about 18 cm, and a width offrom about 9 cm to about 18 cm; and wherein further a third one of theat least three wedge shaped blocks comprises a cross sectional length offrom about 18 cm to about 30 cm, a crossectional height of from about 9cm to about 18 cm, and a width of from about 9 cm to about 18 cm.

The block set may optionally have one or more rectangular-shaped blocksincluding a set of at least five rectangular blocks of differingrespective sizes, wherein a first one of the at least five rectangularblocks comprises a block of from about 36 cm long to about 60 cm long,from about 4 cm thick to about 9 cm thick and from about 9 cm wide toabout 18 cm wide; and wherein a second one of the at least fiverectangular blocks comprises a block of from about 18 cm long to about30 cm long, from about 4 cm thick to about 9 cm thick, and from about 9cm wide to about 18 cm wide; wherein a third one of the at least fiverectangular blocks comprises a block of from about 9 cm long to about 18cm long, from about 4 cm thick to about 9 cm thick, and from about 9 cmwide to about 18 cm wide; wherein a fourth one of said at least fiverectangular blocks comprises a block of from about 9 cm long to about 18cm long, from about 4 cm thick to about 9 cm thick, and from about 4 cmwide to about 9 cm wide; and wherein a fifth one of said at least fiverectangular blocks comprises a block of from about 9 cm long to about 18cm long, from about 9 cm thick to about 18 cm thick and from about 9 cmwide to about 18 cm wide.

The block set may optionally have one or more cylindrically-shapedblocks including a set of at least four cylinders of differingrespective dimensions, wherein a first one of the at least fourcylindrical blocks comprises a cylinder of from about 9 cm long to about18 cm long and from about 9 cm in diameter to about 18 cm in diameter;wherein a second one of the at least four cylindrical blocks comprises acylinder of from about 18 cm long to about 30 cm long and from about 9cm in diameter to about 18 cm in diameter; wherein a third one of the atleast four cylindrical blocks comprises a cylinder of from about 18 cmlong to about 36 cm long and from about 18 cm in diameter to about 36 cmin diameter; and wherein a fourth one of the at least four cylindricalblocks comprises a cylinder of from about 36 cm long to about 60 cm longand from about 18 cm in diameter to about 30 cm in diameter.

The block set may optionally have one or more pyramidal-shaped blocksincluding a set of at least two pyramidal blocks of differing respectivedimensions, wherein a first one of the at least two pyramidal blockscomprises a pyramid having a base having a length of from about 18 cm toabout 30 cm, a base width of from about 9 cm to about 18 cm and apyramidal height of from about 18 cm to about 30 cm; and wherein asecond one of the at least two pyramidal blocks comprises a pyramidhaving a base having a length of from about 9 cm to about 18 cm, a basewidth of from about 9 cm to about 18 cm, and a pyramidal height of fromabout 18 cm to about 30 cm.

The block set may optionally have one or more blocks having a flathalf-round arch shape, arch having a height of from about 18 cm to about36 cm, a length of from about 36 cm to about 60 cm, a depth of fromabout 9 cm to about 18 cm and an arch having a radius of from about 9 toabout 18 cm.

The block set may optionally have one or more trapezoidal blocks eachhaving a height of from about 18 to about 36 cm, a top width of fromabout 18 to about 36 cm, a bottom width of from about 36 to about 60 cmand a depth of from about 9 to about 18 cm.

The block set may optionally have one or more cubic blocks each havingedges of even length, height and depth of from about 9 cm to about 18cm.

PREFERRED EXAMPLE OF A SET OF BLOCKS

The aforementioned ranges of sizes are illustrative and exemplary. Thefollowing is a preferred example of a set of blocks having specifieddimensions with at least one surface area having an edge lengthexceeding the size of a palm of the hand of a child.

While the aforementioned ranges indicate ranges of sizes, in a preferredset of blocks, there are one or more wedge-shaped blocks having atriangular crossection including a set of at least three wedges ofdiffering respective angularity, wherein a first one of the at leastthree wedge shaped blocks comprises a cross sectional length of about 48cm, a crossectional height of about 12 cm, and a width of about 12 cm;and wherein further a second one of the at least three wedge shapedblocks comprises a cross sectional length of about 12 cm, acrossectional height of about 12 cm, and a width of about 12 cm; andwherein further a third one of said of at least three wedge shapedblocks comprises a cross sectional length of about 24 cm, acrossectional height of about 12 cm, and a width of about 12 cm.

In the preferred The block set, at least one rectangular-shaped blockcomprises a set of at least five rectangular blocks of differingrespective sizes, wherein a first one of the at least five rectangularblocks comprises a block of about 48 cm long, about 6 cm thick and about12 cm wide; and wherein a second one of the at least five rectangularblocks comprises a block of about 24 cm long, about 6 cm thick and about12 cm wide; wherein a third one of the at least five rectangular blockscomprises a block of about 12 cm long, about 6 cm thick and about 12 cmwide; wherein a fourth one of the at least five rectangular blockscomprises a block of about 12 cm long, about 6 cm thick and about 6 cmwide; and wherein a fifth one of the at least five rectangular blockscomprises a block of about 12 cm long, about 12 cm thick and about 12 cmwide.

Also in the preferred block set the at least one cylindrically-shapedblock comprises a set of at least four cylinders of differing respectivedimensions, wherein a first one of the at least four cylindrical blockscomprises a cylinder of about 12 cm long and about 12 cm in diameter;wherein a second one of the at least four cylindrical blocks comprises acylinder of about 24 cm long and about 12 cm in diameter; wherein athird one of the at least four cylindrical blocks comprises a cylinderof about 24 cm long and about 24 cm in diameter; and wherein a fourthone of the at least four cylindrical blocks comprises a cylinder ofabout 48 cm long and about 24 cm in diameter

In the preferred block set at least one pyramidal-shaped block comprisesa set of at least two pyramidal blocks of differing respectivedimensions, wherein a first one of the at least two pyramidal blockscomprises a pyramid having a base having a length of about 24 cm, a basewidth of about 12 cm and a pyramidal height of about 24 cm; and whereina second one of the at least two pyramidal blocks comprises a pyramidhaving a base having a length of about 12 cm, a base width of about 12cm and a pyramidal height of about 24 cm.

In the preferred set each block having a flat half-round arch shape, hasa height of about 24 cm, a length of about 48 cm a depth of about 10.2cm and an arch having a radius of about 12 cm.

Moreover in the preferred block set each trapezoidal block has a heightof about 24 cm, a top width of about 24 cm, a bottom width of about 48cm and a depth of about 12 cm.

Additionally, the preferred block set has cubic blocks each having edgesof even length, height and depth of about 12 cm.

In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictions areused to illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, no unnecessarylimitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrationsdepicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms andillustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit the scopeof the present invention.

It is further known that other modifications may be made to the presentinvention, without departing the scope of the invention, as noted in theappended Claims.

1. A toy building block comprising: a closed hollow block made ofnon-porous, rigid, non-depressible wood panels separated by a singlehollow void therein; said block being of sufficient size that two handsof a child for whom said block is made are required to hold or carrysaid block; and smooth walls of even consistency of said block beingsufficiently thin to make said block light enough for said child toeasily lift and carry said block.
 2. The toy building block of claim 1in which the walls of said block are made of plywood.
 3. The toybuilding block of claim 2 in which the walls of said block are heldtogether by an adhesive.
 4. The toy building block of claim 3 in whichcountersunk wire brad nails are also employed to hold said wallstogether.
 5. The toy building block of claim 3 further comprising a thinveneer covering said countersunk wire brad nails.
 6. The toy buildingblock of claim 1 wherein said non-porous, rigid wood panels areunindented by any surface irregularity.
 7. The toy building block ofclaim 1 shaped in the form of a cube.
 8. The toy building block of claim1 shaped in the form of a pyramid.
 9. The toy building block of claim 1shaped in the form of a cylinder.
 10. The toy building block of claim 1shaped in the form of a rectangular box.
 11. The toy building block ofclaim 1 shaped in the form of an arch.
 12. The toy building block ofclaim 1 shaped in the form of a hemispherical dome.
 13. The toy buildingblock of claim 1 shaped in the form of a triangle.
 14. The toy buildingblock of claim 1 shaped in the form of a trapezoid.
 15. A set of toybuilding blocks comprising: a plurality of closed blocks, each closedblock being hollow and made of non-porous, rigid, non-depressible woodpanels separated by a single hollow void therein; each said block beingof sufficient size that two hands of a child for whom said block is madeare required to hold or carry said block; smooth walls of evenconsistency of each said block being sufficiently thin to make saidblock light enough for said child to easily lift said block; and saidblocks having different shapes to a allow a child playing with said setof blocks to construct a number of different objects.
 16. The set of toybuilding blocks of claim 15 in which the walls of each said block aremade of plywood.
 17. The set of toy building blocks of claim 16 in whichthe walls of each said block are held together by an adhesive.
 18. Theset of toy building blocks of claim 16 in which countersunk wire bradnails are also employed to hold said walls together.
 19. The set of toybuilding blocks of claim 18 further comprising a thin veneer coveringsaid countersunk wire brad nails.
 20. The set of toy building blocks ofclaim 15 wherein said non-porous, rigid wood panels are unindented byany surface irregularity.
 21. The set of toy building blocks of claim 15in which said blocks have different shapes.
 22. The set of toy buildingblocks of claim 15 in which at least one of said blocks is shaped in theform of a pyramid.
 23. The set of toy building blocks of claim 15 inwhich at least one of said blocks is shaped in the form of a cylinder.24. The set of toy building blocks of claim 15 in which at least one ofsaid blocks is shaped in the form of a rectangular box.
 25. The set oftoy building blocks of claim 15 in which at least one of said blocks isshaped in the form of an arch.
 26. The set of toy building blocks ofclaim 15 in which at least one of said blocks is shaped in the form of ahemispherical dome.
 27. The set of toy building blocks of claim 15 inwhich at least one of said blocks is shaped in the form of a triangle.28. The set of toy building blocks of claim 15 in which at least one ofsaid blocks is shaped in the form of a trapezoid.
 29. A set oflarge-sized hollow child play blocks, comprising: a set of woodenblocks, each said block being non-porous and smooth, each said blockhaving an outer surface of even consistency, wherein each said outersurface of each said hollow wooden block is substantially seamless andsubstantially rigid, said set of blocks being comprised of individualrespective blocks of varying shapes, each said block having a geometricshape being dimensioned of a pre-determined minimum size for beingcarried by two hands of a child.
 30. The block set of claim 29 whereinsaid hollow blocks are comprised of a wooden substrate wherein saidouter surface comprises a laminar veneer attached to said woodensubstrate.
 31. The block set of claim 30 wherein said respective blocksof varying shapes comprise at least one rectangular-shaped block, atleast one wedge-shaped block having a triangular crossection, at leastone pyramidal-shaped block, at least one block having a flat half-roundarch shape, at least one block having a trapezoidal shape, at least oneblock having a cubic shape and at least one cylindrically-shaped block.32. The block set of claim 31 further comprising at least one blockhaving at least one rectangular-shaped cut-out therein.
 33. The blockset of claim 31 further comprising at least one block having at leastone curve-shaped cut-out therein.
 34. The block set of claim 31 furthercomprising at least one block having at least one half-roundcurve-shaped cut-out therein.
 35. The block set of claim 31 furthercomprising at least one block having at least one quarter-roundcurve-shaped cut-out therein.
 36. The block set of claim 31 wherein saidat least one wedge-shaped block having a triangular crossectioncomprises a set of at least three wedges of differing respectiveangularity, wherein a first one of said of at least three wedge shapedblocks comprises a cross sectional length of about from about 36 cm toabout 60 cm, a crossectional height of from about 9 cm to about 18 cm,and a width of from about 9 cm to about 18 cm; and wherein further asecond one of said of at least three wedge shaped blocks comprises across sectional length of from about 9 cm to about 18 cm, acrossectional height of from about 9 cm to about 18 cm, and a width offrom about 9 cm to about 18 cm; and wherein further a third one of saidof at least three wedge shaped blocks comprises a cross sectional lengthof from about 18 cm to about 30 cm, a crossectional height of from about9 cm to about 18 cm, and a width of from about 9 cm to about 18 cm. 37.The block set of claim 31 wherein said at least one rectangular-shapedblock comprises a set of at least five rectangular blocks of differingrespective sizes, wherein a first one of said of at least fiverectangular blocks comprises a block of from about 36 cm long to about60 cm long, from about 4 cm thick to about 9 cm thick and from about 9cm wide to about 18 cm wide; and wherein a second one of said at leastfive rectangular blocks comprises a block of from about 18 cm long toabout 30 cm long, from about 4 cm thick to about 9 cm thick, and fromabout 9 cm wide to about 18 cm wide; wherein a third one of said atleast five rectangular blocks comprises a block of from about 9 cm longto about 18 cm long, from about 4 cm thick to about 9 cm thick, and fromabout 9 cm wide to about 18 cm wide; wherein a fourth one of said atleast five rectangular blocks comprises a block of from about 9 cm longto about 18 cm long, from about 4 cm thick to about 9 cm thick, and fromabout 4 cm wide to about 9 cm wide; and wherein a fifth one of said atleast five rectangular blocks comprises a block of from about 9 cm longto about 18 cm long, from about 9 cm thick to about 18 cm thick and fromabout 9 cm wide to about 18 cm wide.
 38. The block set of claim 31wherein said at least one cylindrically-shaped block comprises a set ofat least four cylinders of differing respective dimensions, wherein afirst one of said of at least four cylindrical blocks comprises acylinder of from about 9 cm long to about 18 cm long and from about 9 cmin diameter to about 18 cm in diameter; wherein a second one of said ofat least four cylindrical blocks comprises a cylinder of from about 18cm long to about 30 cm long and from about 9 cm in diameter to about 18cm in diameter; wherein a third one of said of at least four cylindricalblocks comprises a cylinder of from about 18 cm long to about 36 cm longand from about 18 cm in diameter to about 36 cm in diameter; and whereina fourth one of said of at least four cylindrical blocks comprises acylinder of from about 36 cm long to about 60 cm long and from about 18cm in diameter to about 30 cm in diameter.
 39. The block set of claim 31wherein said at least one pyramidal-shaped block comprises a set of atleast two pyramidal blocks of differing respective dimensions, wherein afirst one of said of at least two pyramidal blocks comprises a pyramidhaving a base having a length of from about 18 cm to about 30 cm, a basewidth of from about 9 cm to about 18 cm and a pyramidal height of fromabout 18 cm to about 30 cm; and wherein a second one of said of at leasttwo pyramidal blocks comprises a pyramid having a base having a lengthof from about 9 cm to about 18 cm, a base width of from about 9 cm toabout 18 cm, and a pyramidal height of from about 18 cm to about 30 cm.40. The block set of claim 31 wherein each said block having a flathalf-round arch shape, has a height of from about 18 cm to about 36 cm,a length of from about 36 cm to about 60 cm, a depth of from about 9 cmto about 18 cm and an arch having a radius of from about 9 to about 18cm.
 41. The block set of claim 31 wherein each said trapezoidal blockhas a height of from about 18 to about 36 cm, a top width of from about18 to about 36 cm, a bottom width of from about 36 to about 60 cm and adepth of from about 9 to about 18 cm.
 42. The block set of claim 31wherein each said cubic block has edges of even length, height and depthof from about 9 cm to about 18 cm.
 43. The block set of claim 31 whereinsaid at least one wedge-shaped block having a triangular crossectioncomprises a set of at least three wedges of differing respectiveangularity, wherein a first one of said of at least three wedge shapedblocks comprises a cross sectional length of about 48 cm, acrossectional height of about 12 cm, and a width of about 12 cm; andwherein further a second one of said of at least three wedge shapedblocks comprises a cross sectional length of about 12 cm, acrossectional height of about 12 cm, and a width of about 12 cm; andwherein further a third one of said of at least three wedge shapedblocks comprises a cross sectional length of about 24 cm, acrossectional height of about 12 cm, and a width of about 12 cm.
 44. Theblock set of claim 31 wherein said at least one rectangular-shaped blockcomprises a set of at least five rectangular blocks of differingrespective sizes, wherein a first one of said of at least fiverectangular blocks comprises a block of about 48 cm long, about 6 cmthick and about 12 cm wide; and wherein a second one of said at leastfive rectangular blocks comprises a block of about 24 cm long, about 6cm thick and about 12 cm wide; wherein a third one of said at least fiverectangular blocks comprises a block of about 12 cm long, about 6 cmthick and about 12 cm wide; wherein a fourth one of said at least fiverectangular blocks comprises a block of about 12 cm long, about 6 cmthick and about 6 cm wide; and wherein a fifth one of said at least fiverectangular blocks comprises a block of about 12 cm long, about 12 cmthick and about 12 cm wide.
 45. The block set of claim 31 wherein saidat least one cylindrically-shaped block comprises a set of at least fourcylinders of differing respective dimensions, wherein a first one ofsaid of at least four cylindrical blocks comprises a cylinder of about12 cm long and about 12 cm in diameter; wherein a second one of said ofat least four cylindrical blocks comprises a cylinder of about 24 cmlong and about 12 cm in diameter; wherein a third one of said of atleast four cylindrical blocks comprises a cylinder of about 24 cm longand about 24 cm in diameter; and wherein a fourth one of said of atleast four cylindrical blocks comprises a cylinder of about 48 cm longand about 24 cm in diameter
 46. The block set of claim 31 wherein saidat least one pyramidal-shaped block comprises a set of at least twopyramidal blocks of differing respective dimensions, wherein a first oneof said of at least two pyramidal blocks comprises a pyramid having abase having a length of about 24 cm, a base width of about 12 cm and apyramidal height of about 24 cm; and wherein a second one of said of atleast two pyramidal blocks comprises a pyramid having a base having alength of about 12 cm, a base width of about 12 cm and a pyramidalheight of about 24 cm.
 47. The block set of claim 31 wherein each saidblock having a flat half-round arch shape, has a height of about 24 cm,a length of about 48 cm a depth of about 10.2 cm and an arch having aradius of about 12 cm.
 48. The block set of claim 31 wherein each saidtrapezoidal block has a height of about 24 cm, a top width of about 24cm, a bottom width of about 48 cm and a depth of from about 12 cm. 49.The block set of claim 31 wherein each said cubic block has edges ofeven length, height and depth of from about 12 cm.
 50. A method ofstimulating a child's imagination and creativity, teaching childrenfundamental structural soundness and strength of materials, and teachingfundamental appropriate social interaction among children, comprisingthe steps of: a. providing a set of large-sized hollow child playblocks, said blocks each having an outer surface, wherein said outersurface is substantially seamless and substantially rigid, said set ofblocks being comprised of individual respective blocks of varyingshapes, wherein each said block has a geometric shape being dimensionedof a pre-determined minimum size for being carried by two hands of achild; b. allowing at least one child user to create varying structuresusing the set of blocks; c. allowing said at least one child user to usesaid structure for imaginative play; and d. allowing said at least onechild user to modify said varying structures at will.